Hydraulic clutch



June' l5 1926.

E. s. PALMBLA HYDRAULIC CLUTCH Filed June 1'7 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l Jima 15 1926. 1,588,988

' E. s. PALMBLA HYDRAULI C CLUTCH Filed June 1'7J 19g5 s' sheets-sheet 2 IF* '/P 9 imm@ 'LE i926 l 1,588,988

' E. s. PALMBLA v .HYDRAULIC CLUTCH Filed June 1'7 ,-1925 .f5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented linne l5, iQZ.

nriirnn 'isses @si @FFE Application filed lune i7, i325. Serial No.

'through the medium of liquid imprisoned therebetween.

My primary object is to provide a novel, simple and positively operating clutch mechanism of the general type referred to, which shall` be positive in. operation and not he liable to impairment vin use; to provide a novel, simple and positively operating ymech-A enism, operating automatically to avoid grabbing of the clutch, While permittinga quick unclutehing action; to vprovide a con struction wherein friction between the reletively rotatable portions of the clutch meel :mism in the unclutched condition thereof shall be reduced to the minimum; and gen orally, to so improve upon mechanisms of this general character that they will be hetler adapted to perform 'the functions `lor 'which they are provided.

Referring to vthe accompanying drawings:

Figure l is an end view of my improved clutch mechanism, the driverrshaft being shown in section, and the clutch-operating mechanism, being shown in dotted lines. Figure is e section taken at the line 2-2 on Fig. l and viewed in thedirection of the arrows, the clutch-operating means, the drive shaft, and Hf Wheel carried thereby, and to which one element of' the clutch mechanism is connected and the braking meansfor the driven shaft, being as shown by dotted lines.

Figure `3 is :i section taken et the line P543` on Fig.' 2 und viewed in the direction o the arrows. Figure is a section taken at the line 4--41 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction oi the arrows. Figure 5 is e .section i taken :it the line 5-5'01'1 Fig. 2 and viewed in .the direction of the arrows. Figure 6 a fragmentary fece 'View with certain parte t. vshown .in section, of the. hladeequipped ,see Y wheell l0' boltedthereto hy holts il in accordance with common construction, the Hy wheel l0 being formed with han annular vthings 12in accordance with common' construction.

rihe drven shaft, which is to he control lahly clutched to the driveshat is rcpresented at i3, this shaft being in alignment with 4the sho-'ft il and provided with a stubshat portion le which is journeled in a. socket 15 extending through the. Hy Wheel i0A and into, the adjacentend of the shaft 9.

My improved clutching mechanism shown as interposed between the fly Wheel l0 and w the drivensheft 13 comprises a circular shell member 16 which snugly fits into the recess provided hy the flange 12 in the face of the fly Wheel l0, the outer marginal. portion of the member i6 being'provided with an annular outwardly-extending.flange l? which overlies the end surface of the flange 12; The asseml'iled iiy'wheel l() and shell 16 are provdedyvith e coverplate 1S which fits at its circumferential margin fiatwise against the flange l?, these three parts being rigidly heid together by means o i-scre\v bolts 19.'

The shell 16 is formed with a. 'disk-like portion 2O at Which'it fits against the body or' the iiy wheel l0, and an annular iangc portion 2l at its circumferential edge carrying 'the ldinge 17. The flange 21 is thickn cned at itsloesc-portion, as represented 'at 22, this thickened portion being so.' shaped as to present a circular inner Surface, as represented' at 23, eccentrically disposedl to the mi s ci the driven shaft 13. The portion 22 is cored out to provide, at the thicker part of 'his portion, e. chamber 2e which' extends from to and opens laterally vint-o the space beyond this thiclnened portion .22., through the arcuate slot,4 or portgjf? and into the space surrounded by' the 'thickened portion through an arcuate slot 28, forme ing e port, in the inner wall of this chamber located in a different position 'circumferen-r tiolly ci the flange li than that occupied by the slot 27.

taining an opening 31 concentric with the axis of the driven shaft 13.

Surrounding the shaft 13 and keyed thereto is a rotary member 33 located within the shell 16 and comprising a hub portion o.) at which this member is connected with the shaft 13 with an interposed steel bushing 32 at one end thereof/splined to the hub 33H. The rotary member 33 also comprises spoke portions 34, shown as four in number and equidistantly spaced, though the number thereof may be varied if desired, and a sectional rim-portion 35 concentric with the axis of the shaft 13. The sections of the rim portion 35 are located between adjacent ones of the spokes 34'and each is formed of a peripheral ring-portion 36 and side flanges 37 and 38, these flanges forming with the ring-portion 36, segmental channels between the spokes about the inner periphery of the member 33.

The outer ends of the spokes 34, the opposite sides of which extend flush with the outer surfaces of the flanges 37 and 38, respectively, are cut away at one side, as indicated of one of the spokes 34 at 39, to permit the shell 16 to freely rotate relative to the member 33 when the latter is not clutched to the shell 16, and each of these spokes contains a radially -disposed slot 40 opening through the outer periphery of the member 33 and extending parallel with theaxis of this member, these slots opening rntoi radially-disposed bores 41 in the spokes.

Reciprocally mounted in the slots 40 and extending radially beyond the rim of the member 33, are blades 42, forming pistons, each of a shape and size to have sliding fit in the groove-portion of the shell bounded by the surface 23, and the outer circumferential surface of the member 33 and the disk-like portion 20 between the surfaces 23 and 23a, the outer edge-surfaces of? the blades 42, as also the outer surface of the flange 38, being flush with the outer surface of the thickened portion 224 of the rim of the shell 16y To avoid displacement of theblades 42 they are provided with stems 43 which slide radially in the bores 41 of the spokes.

It may here be stated that the drive of the driven member 13 from the drive-member 9 is effected by tl''e clutching of the member 33 to the shell 1'6 through the medium of liquid, as for example oil. confined in the space between adjacent ones of the blades 42 coacting with the eccentric surfaces 23Y and 23?. The spaces between adjacent` blades are open at the right hand side of the rotary member 33, and to effect the clutching of the partsas statedthis space muet be closed. under control, and to permit of such closing I provide a ring formed of a pair of concentric ring-sections 44 and 45 which together close the open side of the space referredlto when moved into the position shown in Fig..2. The ring-section 44 lits flatwise against, and is rigidly secured to, a ring 46, which latter is movable toward and away from the space in which the blades 42 are located.

The ring-section 44 is annularly recessed, as indicated at 47 at the inner peripheral portion of the face thereof which flatwise opposes the ring 46, to provide an annular flange 48, and the ring-sectmn is annularly recessed at the outer peripheral portion of the surface thereof opposite that which flatwise opposes the ring 46, as represented at 49, to form an annular flange 5l). T he ring-sections 44 and 45, which extend into an annular recess 51 in the face of the ring 46, mutually overlap at their flanges 48 and 50, these Hanges being of such width that when these ring sections extend in the space-closing position shown in Fig. 2, they will be spaced apart as shown.

The structure formed of the rings referred to cooperates with means tending to yieldingly force this structure out of spaceclosing.,r position, namely, to the right in Fig. 2, these means comprising studs 52 carried by the ring.,r 46 and tliding in sockets 53 in the thickened rim-portion of the shell 16, coil springs 54 being confined'between these studs and the inner walls of the recessess 53 and tending to move the ringlstructure referred to to the right as stated.

Means are provided for yieldingly forcing the ringsection 45 to the left in Fig. y2, these means comprising studs 55 carried by this ring-section and sliding in sockets 56 in the ring 46, coil springs 57 located in these sockets and confined between the end walls thereof and the inner ends of the studs 55 exerting a force yieldingly pressing the ring-section. 45 to the left as stated The means shown for controlling the position of the space-closing ring-structure described, comprise a plurality of levers 58, shown as four in number, which are pivotally connected, between their ends, with the ring 46, by pivot pins 59 supported in pairs of' ears (i0 on this ring. These levers which are grouped about the axis of the sha'ft 13, oppose, at their outer end portions 61, adjustable abutmenfs on the cover section 18, .shown in the form of screws 62 carried by this cover, whereby when these levers are ,2G f

rocked in one direction, the engagement of their portions 61with the abutments 62 operates to force the space-closing ring-structure referred to in a direction to closey said space. The inner ends of the levers 58 are formed with inwardly-extending, singularly-disposed, fingers 63, which'extend into an annular groove 64 provided in the circumfern cntial surface of an annular member 65 surrounding the shaft 13 and opposing a flange 66 on a collar 67 surrounding, and Secured lili fifi

the ,member 65 ti t opening position., the

surrounding the collar 69, are cohfned,

whereby the member 65, sleeve 69 and collar 6?' are so associated that lengthwise movement of the sleeve 69 operates to correspond-l ingly shift the member' lengthwise of the shaft 13 and consequently actuate the levers between coverplate 18 and the portion of the'member 65 in which the groove 64 is presented, viral spring,l 73, the'Jtension of which is suoi o force, unless restrained by the shifting l. red to and coop ting; with the sleeve 69, [he left in liig.` 1 to the position therein sh n, and consequently the ring-structure forn of the rings 44, 45 and 46 to the position shown in this figure to close, and maintain closed, the space infwhich the piston-blades 42 are located.

The sleeve 69 may cooperate with any suitable means for "ellecting, under the control of the operator, the 'shifting of this cere to the right in lfig. 1, and relieving the pressure on the space-closing ring-structure so that this structure may more to spacemeans shown comprisnog the mechanism commonly employed in automobile construction for operating the and comprising a rock-shaft clutches thereof 74 journaled in any desirable manner yon a l stationary part of the car operated in any desirable manner by the operator,'the shaf -l beine; provided with a pair of iinggers f rigid thereon and provided with roller-'equipped pins 76 which bear against a 'face of thrust-ring W surrounding the sleeve-69, with a `thrust liall-l'icaring 78 conlined between this sleeve and a nut 79 secured on. the outerxend of this sleeve of automobiles, being movable, in the actuation of the shaft 74 to throw out the clutch, into frictional engagement with a stationary member, represented at 80, and presenting a brake-fare for engaging this nut, to arrest rotation of the driven shaft 13 following the lal c unclutcliiinpf this shaft ll from the drive-shaft l), l c Y -in the use of the mechanim, oil or any other suite. l`le liouid il into the in-' t f Y r forme( of the shell 1.6 le, and Iassuming/f the driveting., the oil, by centrifugal force, is caused to extend in the form of a baudet the inner circumference of thisv casing, tbn oi. d into the Icasing; be ,f -nt to cause it,

ianism hereinafter refer- A this nut,I as .is the usual practice in clutch mechanisms -v the oil the ring sections and 44 I .a point where under lthe centrifugal action referred to, to cover the joint between the ring section I4l. and the shell 16. l

Assuming that the shaft 74 is actuated to shift the rin'g structure formed of thc rings 44,V 45 and 446 to the right in Fig. 2 too-pen the side of thespace in lwhich the blades 42 extench, no eil'ective pumping action onl the '.oil' is produced and no unprisouing thereof between adjacent blades 42 is efected and consequently 'the rotary member 33 vdocs not become clutched to the rotating shell 16 and this shell thus`rotates without drivin-g the A l A vmember 33 and shaft 13, Surrounding the member and confinedy It may be here stated that in the rotation. ofthe member 16 -it is required that suction action be charge between adiacent vonesof the blades for el'ectinlcr the c riving,r action and therefore, to effect the driving action, it is necessary not "only that the space in whichv the blades 42 operate, 'be closed to the air in the casing formed of the shell 16 and cover plate 18 so that oil'will be pumped, but also that this space` be closed against escape of oil therefrom, and to avoid fgrabbing of the clutch the' clement controlling the escape of should close relatively slowly, and this'resultis effected by the sectionalring structurey described, the inner ring section 45 controlling communication between the space in which the blades 42 operate and the space within the casing exterior thereof and filled with air, and the ring section 44 con- "Io y produced on the oil to imprison a trolling .the escape of oil from the space 4in l which these blades operate. y

When the operator releases pressure` on the shaft 74,'permitting lthe spring 73 to force the. ring-structure referred to into a position for .closing the open side of the space in which the blades 42`fare located, this space becomes closed, except for the port 28, by

seating in succession, and continued rotation of the-shell 16 causes' the oil sucked into this space through the port 2S, by the action of the blades 42, to fill this spacebetween the one of the blades 42 across which the port 28 isI moved and .As the shell 16 continues to rotate `the port 28 passes beyond both of these last-rcferred-to blades, and asA there is no .outlet for. the oil disposed be tween these blades,l as soon as the shell 1G is' rotating relative to the member 33 reaches' n the space between these two blades v42 is of lessvvolume than the volume of this spaceat the instant the port 28 Amoves l'beyond both ofwthese blades, the oil im-y the one of the blades next- .m advance thereof.

driving shell 16 through the medium ofA l' this yimpxisonedi oil.

to is moved,

As soon as the spare'-y l closing ring-structure referred.

by the operator to the right in Fig. 2 to open the side of the space containing the blades, the oil is free to esc'afpe from this space and, depending upon thev extent Ito which the ring structure is moved as stated, the drive of the meniber-33 from the shell 164 is correspondinglyaffected, it being possibleby the arrangement shown to vary the degree of slippage of the shell 16 relative to the member 13 to vary the speed at which this member is driven relative to the shell 16, by varying the position ofthe ring-structure referred to.

The provision of the sectional ring-structure described, whereby the air is first shut oli from the space in which the blades 42 operate, and then escape of oil therefrom prevented, causes the c-luteh to take hold slower than if a siii'gle ring struct-urewere provided. which simultaneously shuts ofi the inlet of air tothe space referred to and the outflow offloil therefrom. y

To further delay the movement of the ring section 44 to closed position'after' the ring section 45 has seated, 'I provide a' delaying mechanism which, inthe particular illusof my invention, is of the dashpot type and comprises'an annular groove 81 in a face of the hub of the member 33, containing a Qrt 81?; and in which groove a concentric ange or piston member, 82 on the inner end ofthe sleeve 69 is movable wit-h the sleeve 69, lengthwise of the shaft 13, the port 81a opening into one end of a tube 83 6) the other end-of which opens into a hollow head 84 carried 'thereby and provided with an inlet 85 controlled by an inwardly-opening ball check-valve 86 and also provided with a bleeder-opening 87, this head extending in such a position, as shown that it will be yimmersed at all times in the oil in the casing during the rotation of the shell 16.

The port4 81=L is preferably so"arranged `that as the dashpot piston 82 starts to cover it in moving inwardly the inner ring 45 Will seat and close off the air. Thus the ,movement of the ring 44 to seating position, which takes place while the piston is moving aci-oss the port' 81,a and after it has' passed this port-a slight distance is compar- .atively slow and gra-dually shuts off escape of the oil from the pumping space in located, it being 82-Would not fit which the blades 42 are understood that the piston the walls of the groove 81 so tightly that/ there could not be slow leakageso that the piston can move inwardly beyond theport .8la

In operation, the sleeve 69 is cushioned in moving to the left in Fig. 2 .to the position therein shown, first, owin to the restricted flow of the oil from tii fully uncovered and the main outlet 85 of 'vention, I do not wish to be e 'groove 81 out .througlivthe blleeder 87, 'the port 81l being `tually cushioned to reduce its speed of movment, by the passage of the piston 82 across, and beyond, the port 81a. As means for ensuring a supply of oil for' entry into the head 84, I providea passage 36L1 in the flange 38 which is located at the joint between the ring sections 44 and Alo and through which oil is forced into the channel provided by the flanges 3T and 38 in the movement of the ring section 44 to closed position, after the ring section 45 has closed. It will be understood that the dashpot arrangement described may be used to advantage with a -single ring-structure as the ring moves less rapidly to closed position by the 'use of dashpot mechanism than if such mechanismv were omitted. The mechanism, however, is especially advantageous in connection ywith a plural ringstructure of the characterdescribed, and for the reasons as will be manifest from the foregoing description. It will further be understood that by splining the blade-carrying member on the shaft 13, this member may move lengthwise of the shaft toward and away from the casing 16, and thus in the movement of the parts of the mechanism to effect the unclutehing of the clutch elements, as above ing position the blade-carrying member is `forced toward the member v16 and into close joint-forming condition to prevent escape of the oil impiisonedbetvveen the blades 112.l y T he feature of providing the chamber 2l.. which extends outwardly beyond lthe chamber in which the pistons 42 extend and porting it as stated, is of advantage as it minl' iinizes drag on the driven shaft. By providing this outsidechamber the oil, in the unclutched condition of the parts and under centrifugal action, is caused t extend therein, and at least as to a greatvportion thereof, not in a position in which it is eng. ed by the pistons. Thus in the relative movements Iof the parts inunclutched condition, the'pistons are not required to pump oil, which pumping action would produce drag on the driven shaft.

`While I have illustrated and described a particular construction embodying my inunderstood as intending' to limit it thereto as the same may he variously modified and altered without departing from the spiritl of `What I claim as l-i v.1lietters Patent, is: n f v l 1. In a hydraulic clutch, the combination new, and desire to secure dashpot izo of said elements having a. portion ri lT therewith and containing a laterally opening chamber the inner-peripheral 'Wall o which is eccentric to theaxis of the other of said elements, pistons'operatively connected with said last-referredto element and extending into` said chamber, anda ring movable toward and away from the open side of sai-d chamber for controlling the closing thereof.

2. In a hydraulicclntch, the combination of a driving element, ,a driven element, oneV of said elements presenting a casingand a portion rigid therewith and containing a chamber which opens laterally into said casing, the inner peripheral Wall of said chamber being eccentric to the axis of the other of said elements, pistons connectedw-ith said lastreferred-to element and extending intosaid chamber, and a ring in said casing movable toward'and aivay from the open side of said chamber for controlling the closing thereof. I l I '3. In a hydraulic clutch, the combination of a driving element, a drivenelement, one

of said elements containing a laterally opening chamber the inner peripheral Wall of Whichis eccentric tothe axis of theother of said elements, pistons operatively connected 'with said last-referred-to elementand extending into said chamber, and a ring. mov able into and outof av position for closingthe openside oi said chamber and comprising concentric scaling-ring` sections 'relatively movable in( a direction lengthwise of the axes of said elements. l v

4. In a hydraulic clutch, the combination of adriving element, 'driven element', one of saidv elements containing a laterallyfopening chamber thelinn'er peripheral wall of which is eccentric to the axis oi the other of said ele-ments, pistons' yoperatively,connected with'.said last-referred-to element and extending into said chamber,"and a ring mov able into 'and out of a position for closing the opensideA of said chamber and compris ing concentric sealing-ring sections relatively movable in a direction lengthwise o the axes odsaid elements, and means yicldmgly holdingthe inner one of' said sections in an advanced position relative to the other one of saidsections, whereby said inner ring sec tion occupies .sealing position' before sald outer section.

5. Infa hydraulic clutch, ythe combination,

of a driving element,l a driven element, one

' of said-elements containing a laterally openlng chamber the' inner peripheral wall of which is eccentric to the axis of the'othcr oi' said elements, pistons operatively. connected with said last-referredto filament 4and ex.- tending into said chamber, and a ring mov` able into and out ofa po. ition for closing the open side of said cham er and compris.-

ing concentric sealing-ring sections relaincasso lmeans movable into and out o f a of said elements containing a chamber having an opening, the inner peripheral WallA of said.4 chamber being eccentric to the axis of the other of said elements, pistons operatively connected with said last-refcrredto element and extendinginto said chamber,v

means movable into and out of a position for sealing the opening in said chamber, means tending to -move said first-named means to sealing position, and dash-pot mechanism for cushioning said first-named means in its increment to sealing position. y

'l'. In a hydraulic clutch, the combination of a driving element, a driven element,` one of said elements containing a laterally opening chamber the inner peripheral Wal-L of which is eccentric to lthe axis of the other or said elements, pistons operatively connected with said last-referredlto clement and l extending into said chamber, means movable into and out of a position forsealing the",-r open s1de ofsaid chamber, means tending to move said first-minced4 means to sealing posi tion, and dash-pot mechanism for cushion.-

to sealing position.

8. In a'hydraulic clutch, the combination of a vdriving element, adriven. element, one or" saidelements containing a chamber heving an opening, the innen peripheral wall of said chamber being eccentric to the axis of the other of said elements, pistons' o eratively connected; with saidl last-referredl to element and extending into said chambeig position mg said first-named means in its movement for sealing the openirigA ineens tend'ng tol move in said chan 1ber,-l said first-nan1edmeans to sealing position, and dashl'iot mechanismv for cushioning said first-named means in its movement to sealingv position comprising a tube communicating with the cylinder of said dash-pot mechanism and lopening into the\body ofoil at the circum ferential portion of the chitch.

9...lna hydraulic clutch, the combination ofa driving element, a driven element, one of said elements'containinga laterally open,- ing chamber the inner peripheral wall of which is eccentric to the axis of the other of said elements, pistons operatively c0nnected'with said last-referred-to element and extending into said chamber, means movable'into andv out of a position forsealing the open side of said chamber, means tending to move said first-named means to sea1- -ingl position, and dash-pot mechanism for .ing chamber the inner of said elements,

lirst-nanied means in its position comprising a tube'commimie-ating' with the cylinder of said mechanism and opening into the body of oil at the circumferential portion ofthe clutch. l

10. In a hydraulic clutch,the combination ot a driving element, a driven element, one of said elements containing a laterally opening chamber the inner peripheral wall of which is eccentric to the axis of the other of said elements, pistons operatively connected with said last-referred-to 'element and extending into said chamber, means movable into and out of a position for sealing the open side of said chamber, means tending to move said iirst-named means to sealing position, and dash-pot mechanism for cushioning said movement to sealing position and provided With a main inlet and a bleeder, and a valve for checking out-flow through said main inlet.

11.- In a hydraulic clutch, the combination of a driving element, a driven element, one of said elements containing a laterally opening chamber the inner peripheral Wall of which is eccentric to the axis of the other ot' said elements, pistons operatively connected with said last-referredto element and extending into said chamber, a ring movable into and out of a position for closing the open side of said chamber and compris* ing concentric scaling-ring sections relatively movable in a direction lengthwise ot' the axis of said elements, means yicldingly holding the inner one of said sections in an advanced position relative to the outer one of said sections, whereby said inner section occupies scaling position before said outer section, means tending to move said rings to sealing position, and dash-pot mechanism 'or cushioning said ring sections in their movement to sealingr position.

l2. yIna hydraulic clutch, the combination of a driving element, a driven element, one ot' said elements containing a laterally openperipheral wall` of which is eccentric to the axis of the other ot' said. elements, 4pistons operatively connected with said last-referred-to element and extending into said chamber, a ring movable into and out of a position for closing the open side of said chamber and comprising concentric sealing-ring sections relatively movable in a direction lengthwise of the axis means yieldingly holding the inner one of said sections in an advanced position relative tothe outer one of said sec'- tions, whereby said inner section occupies sealing position before said outer section, means tending to move said rings to sealing position, and dash-pot mechanism for cusliioning said ring sections in their movement cushioning said movement to sealing first-named means in itsv resaca@ to sealing position, the cylinder of Said mechanism containing a port in communica tion with the. supply of oil in the clutch, and the .parts being so constructed and arranged that said port is covered by the piston of 7U said mechanism substantially simultaneously with the .seating of said inner ring section in sealing position.

13. In a hydraulic clutch, the combination of a driving element, a driven element, one of said elements containing a laterally opening chamber the inner peripheral wall of which is eccentric to the axis of the other of said elements, pistons connected with said last-referre -to element and ertendingvinto @9 said chamber, said last-referredto element containing a channel at its inner periphery, means movable into and out ot a position for sealing the open side of said chamber, means tending to move said first-named means to B5 sealing position, and dash-pot mechanism for cushioning said first-named means in itsr movement to sealing position comprising a tube communicating With the cylinder of said dash-pot mechanism and opening into said channel, a Wall of said channel contain` ing a port positioned to receive oil displaced by said first-namedl means in moving to sealin g position.

14. In a hydraulic clutch, the combination of a driving element, a driven element, one of said elements containing a chamber having an opening, the inner peripheral Wall ot' said chamber being eccentric to the axis of the other of said elements, pistons operative- W0 ly connected with said last-referredto ale7 nient and extending into said chamber, andi; closure-means movable relative to said piston-equipped element toward and away trom said chamber for controlling the opening llfh therein, said piston-equipped element beingl movable toward and away :from the other of said elements.

l5. In a hydraulic tion of a driving element, a driven element, one of said elements containing a laterally opening chamber the inner peripheral walh of which is eccentric tothe axis of the other of said elements, pistons operatively coiinected With said last-refeii'ed-to element and 115 extending intosaid chamber, and closuremeans movable relative to said pistonequipped element toward and away from said chamber for controlling the open side thereof, said piston-equipped element being lm movable toivard and away from the other of said elements.

16. In a hydraulic clutch, the combination of a drivin element, a driven clement,

llYI

a shell connecte with one of said elements and containing chamber the inner pheral wall of -which eccentric to the axes or' said elements, a niember closing the open j side ot said shell, said shel containing a passage at its circumference provided With. im

on which it is carried, pistons mounted 'onv said rotary member Afor `radial movement, said pistons extending intosaid. chamber, a i ring structure for sealing the open side of said chamber andcomprisi'ng a plurality .of

concentric rings mova le lengthwise of the axes of said elements, saidring sections be,- iiig relatively movable lengthwis* of said axes, sprin meanslyieldingly' ,ho ding the inner one o said ring sections in a position in advance ofthe other of said ringsections,

whereby said inner ring 'section seats to sealing position -vbefore the other of said ring sections, means yieldingly forcingsaid ring y sections to sealin position,y and dash-pot mechanism for cu' .said rings to sealing position.l 17. vIn a li draulic clutch,

of a-driving element, a driven'element, one

of tsaid elements containing a laterally'open- `ing chamber the inner peripheral Wall of which is eccentric to the axis ofthe other .of said elements, pistons operatively con- :io nected with said'last-referred-to element and extending into said chamber, and means for closing the open side of said chambercoimprising` relatively movable sealin elements controllin l of a driving element, a driven.elenien't,vone 'of said elements containing a laterally open- J40 ing chamber thel inner. peripheral Wall ot which is' eccentric to the axis of the o tlier L of said-elements, piston operatively conchamber to the flow of air and vto the outlet' of oil therefrom,' respectivel l 19.4 .Ina 'hydraulic clutch, t ie combination of a-drivingeleinent, a driven element, one

`of said elements containing a laterally opening chamber the inner 'peripheral'wallof y which is eccentric to the 'axis of thef'otlier \o said 4elementstpistons operatively connected With said last-refe'i'red-to element and lexteiidinfr into said chamber, and means for closingtheopen side of said chamber com- 60' prising relatively inovablesealing elements controllingthe closing of said chamber to the flow of air and to the outlet oit oil therefrom, respectively, and means for yieldingly holding said air-controlling sealing ele-` iioning the movement of i he combination theiclosingof said ck amber toV '2:5 the flow c. air and to the outlet oiffoil therefromgrespectivelyfi, 'y f 18. In a hydraulic clutch, the vcombination ment in such position as to canse it to seat before said 'oil-controllino sealing clement seats. y

20 in a hydraulic clutch, the combination of -a driviinvlv element, .a drweneleinenr, one

of said elements containing laterally opening er ber the inner peripheral wall of which. e eccentric to the sans of the other of said elements, pistons operatively connected with said last--reerred-to element and extending into said chamber, and means or closing the open side of said chamber comprisingf relatively movable rei-iliiig,r elements controlling the closing of said chamber to the flow of air and to the outlet of oil therefrom, respectivelyjineans for yieldingiy holding; said air-controlling sealing element in such position asto cause it to seat before said oil-controlling sealing element seats, and means `for retarding the'niovemeiit of said oil-controlling sealing elementy to sealing position after said air-controlling sealing element'seats. l

21. ln a hydraulic clutch, the combination of a driving' element, a driven element, one of said elei'iient's' containing a laterally opening chamber the innei` peripheral Wall of "which is eccentric to the axis of the other of said elements, pistons operatively con- 'zv nected with said last-referred-to element and extending into said chamber, anda ring supported on said chamber-equipped element y andv 'rotatable therewith and movable back and forth on said chamber-equipped element A.to control the closingof said chamber.

22. In a hydraulic clutch, the combination oi' a driving' element, a 'driven element, one v of` said elements containing a chamber hav ing an ipeiiiiig,tlie inner peripheral Wailof` said 'chamber being eccentric to the axis of the other oi' said elements, means operatively leiigaginir said last-referred-to element and extendingr in said chamber and' adapted to hydraulically clutch said elements together when said opening in said chamber is closed, said means boing' movablev axially in said chamber, and closure means movable rela- 'tivc t'o said first-named means toward and away i'roin said chamber for controlling the opei'nng'therein .and forcing said lastvnamed means into .fluid tight condition.

23. 'In a hydraulic cliitch, the combination of `a driving element, a driven clement, one of saidelemaiits containing a'chaniberhav- .ing an opening, the inner peripheral wall ci' said chamber'being eccentric to the axis of the yother of said velements,-y piston means engagingnsaid last-referred-tc element and y extending into said chamber-and adapted to named chamber, and means Vcontrolling the opening and closing of said cliamlo'eropen mg.

24. In a hydraulic clutch, che combination. of n driving element, a driven element., one of `s21id elements hafving a casing divided imo two chambers one ofv which is at the Y phery of the casing and the other of cin extends inwardly' thereof with its wel?. eccentric to the axis of the other of said elements, said last-referred-to chamber opening laterally into the space in said casing vlfnerebeyond, piston means engaging said last-referredfto element and extendlng into sal'd second-referred-to chamber and adapted to hydraulically clutch said elements t0- gether when the open side of said lzit-referred-co chamber is closed, said peripheral chamber having a port opening into said' second-referred-to chamber and a port opening into the space in said casing therebeyond, and means controlling the opening and cl0sing of the open side of said second-referredto chamber. l,

EDWARD s. PALMBLA-l 

